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Conscripts of Modernity: The Tragedy of Colonial Enlightenment

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In his groundbreaking work, Conscripts of Modernity, Professor Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o examines the tragic consequences of the colonial enlightenment project. Thiong'o argues that the imposition of Western values and institutions on colonized peoples led to a profound loss of cultural identity and a deep sense of alienation.

Conscripts of Modernity: The Tragedy of Colonial Enlightenment

by David Scott

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Thiong'o begins his book by tracing the origins of the colonial enlightenment project to the European Renaissance. He argues that the European Renaissance was a period of great intellectual and cultural ferment, during which Europeans began to develop a new understanding of themselves and their place in the world. This new understanding was based on the idea of humanism, which emphasized the importance of the individual and the power of reason.

As Europeans began to explore the world beyond Europe, they encountered peoples who did not share their worldview. These peoples were often seen as inferior, and their cultures were dismissed as primitive. The European powers justified their colonization of these peoples on the grounds that they were bringing them the benefits of civilization.

However, Thiong'o argues that the colonial enlightenment project was not simply a project of cultural imperialism. It was also a project of economic exploitation. The European powers used their control over colonized peoples to extract resources and labor from them. This exploitation led to widespread poverty and suffering.

In addition to the economic exploitation, the colonial enlightenment project also led to a profound loss of cultural identity among colonized peoples. The European powers forced colonized peoples to adopt Western values and institutions, often at the expense of their own cultures and traditions. This led to a deep sense of alienation and a loss of self-respect.

Thiong'o argues that the colonial enlightenment project was a tragedy for colonized peoples. It led to the loss of their cultures, their traditions, and their self-respect. It also led to widespread poverty and suffering. The legacy of the colonial enlightenment project continues to haunt the world today.

Conscripts of Modernity is a powerful indictment of the colonial enlightenment project. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the tragic consequences of colonialism.

About the Author

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o is a Kenyan writer and scholar. He is one of the most important figures in African literature, and his work has been translated into more than 30 languages. Thiong'o has written extensively about the impact of colonialism on African societies. His work is characterized by its passionate defense of African culture and its critique of Western imperialism.

Reviews

"Conscripts of Modernity is a brilliant and devastating critique of the colonial enlightenment project. Thiong'o shows how the imposition of Western values and institutions on colonized peoples led to a profound loss of cultural identity and a deep sense of alienation." - Edward Said

"Thiong'o's book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the tragic consequences of colonialism. It is a powerful indictment of the colonial enlightenment project that continues to haunt the world today." - Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Conscripts of Modernity: The Tragedy of Colonial Enlightenment

by David Scott

5 out of 5